Q 01/05

In The Speckled Band, which animal does Watson mistake for a hideous, distorted child on the dark lawn at Stoke Moran?

A) A langur

B) A baboon

C) A macaque

D) A gibbon

Answer · why

B) A baboon

A baboon is an odd choice for one of Dr Roylott's Indian animals: baboons are native to Africa and Arabia, not India. Holmes grips Watson's wrist like...

Q 02/05

In The Speckled Band, which sound does Julia Stoner hear at about three in the morning in the nights before she dies?

A) A low whistle

B) A soft tapping

C) A distant bell

D) A dragging chain

Answer · why

A) A low whistle

A low whistle is how Dr Roylott calls his snake back before daylight can reveal it. Julia, a light sleeper, cannot tell whether it comes from the next...

Q 03/05

In The Speckled Band, Dr Roylott bends a steel poker to threaten Holmes; what does Holmes do with it afterwards?

A) Throws it outside

B) Keeps it as a souvenir

C) Straightens it again

D) Hands it to Watson

Answer · why

C) Straightens it again

Straightens it again, with one sudden effort, once the doctor has stormed out. Holmes remarks that his own grip is not much more feeble than his bully...

Q 04/05

In The Speckled Band, which snake does Holmes call the deadliest in India when the killer is finally revealed?

A) A king cobra

B) A Russell's viper

C) A common krait

D) A swamp adder

Answer · why

D) A swamp adder

A swamp adder like the story's does not exist: no real snake matches its description. Holmes reckons its victim died within ten seconds of being bitte...

Q 05/05

In The Speckled Band, why does Dr Grimesby Roylott want to stop Julia and Helen Stoner from marrying?

A) He would lose their income

B) He hates both of their suitors

C) He fears a family scandal

D) He needs them as unpaid servants

Answer · why

A) He would lose their income

He would lose their income: their mother's will gives each daughter £250 a year on marriage. With her legacy now yielding only £750, even one wedding ...